‘The wait for another Perkins or Coates could be a long one’
Monday 23rd March 2009, 2:30PM GMT.
MEMBERS of the Confederation of Guernsey Industry have called on the States to make it more attractive for them to conduct business in the island.
They met Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer recently to hear about her department’s 2009 business plan and criticised the States for not doing more to help small local light industrial businesses.
Deputy McNulty Bauer (pictured) had to defend the zero-10 tax strategy, which nearly all of the 20 members present said had increased their costs, as well as the funding the department gives to GuernseyFinance – the promotional agency for the finance industry.
At a recent Commerce and Employment board meeting it was decided to increase this for 2009 from the £900,000 allocated in the budget by a further £245,000.
CGi members wanted to know why the finance sector was given such support and their sector seemingly was not.
Deputy McNulty Bauer said it was crucial to remember that the finance sector was responsible for 40% of the island’s GDP and in her department’s view it was important to support it in such a way.
‘The money that goes out to GuernseyFinance and Visit Guernsey is going out to promote Guernsey as a whole,’ said Deputy McNulty Bauer.
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Thankfully someone has finally said it. It seems the States non finance business development policy has hung on the ‘hope’ that a Perkins Family or Coates entrepreneur will turn up on our shores.
Now we have finally got over our Second Coming phase can we please get on and develop our local talent.
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